Sueño MLS

The Sueño MLS program was a Major League Soccer (MLS) scouting program and Reality TV show that gave young players the opportunity to impress MLS clubs & join their Youth Systems.

Format and synopsis

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Sueño MLS was a nationally televised player search for Major League Soccer that focused on the young Latino population in the United States. The name "Sueño MLS" is the Spanish translation of "MLS Dream". Coaches from many MLS teams selected the players. Five outfield players and one goalkeeper were usually selected in each participating city to compete for the Sueño MLS title. Eighteen finalists trained together for a few days and then played a final match against an MLS Academy Team affiliated with an MLS franchise.

History

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Sueño MLS held their first competition in 2007, and Jorge Flores Villafaña became the first ever winner.[1]

In 2011, 400 tryout spots were made available on the first day, and then the list of players was narrowed down to 30 for the second day of tryouts.[2] Five outfield players and one goalkeeper were selected from each of Chicago, Los Angeles, and Philadelphia. The 2011 competition also became the first competition the top goalkeeper of the competition was awarded, with a trophy titled the "Good Hands" Award.

The 2011 final was held in Dallas, Texas, where Birnis Adames was became the winner of the competition, and Anthony Hall was awarded top goalkeeper.[3]

The program ended after its 2016 iteration.[1]

Winners

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Competition winners

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2007 Jorge Flores Chivas USA
2008 Rogelio Funes Mori FC Dallas
Briant Reyes Chivas USA
2009 Alberto Lopez Chicago Fire
2010 Nelson Castro Houston Dynamo
2011 Birnis Adames Philadelphia Union
2012 Armando Flores Chivas USA
2013 Alexander Soto D.C. United
2014 Johnny Echeveria LA Galaxy
2015 Baltazar Duran Chicago Fire
2016 Alan Gaytán Portland Timbers

"Good Hands" top goalkeeper

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Year Player Club
2011 Anthony Hall FC Dallas
2012 Jimmy Camacho Chivas USA
2013 Luis Aranzazu D.C. United
2014 Manuel Steven Ortiz Ruiz New York Red Bulls
2015 Eduardo Muñoz Chicago Fire
2016 Charlton Alonso New York Red Bulls

References

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  1. ^ a b Pinnell, Kyle (25 May 2020). "Living the Dream: a Look Back at Sueño MLS – Rose City Review". Rose City Review. Retrieved 16 February 2024.
  2. ^ "About Sueño". MLSsoccer.com. Archived from the original on 25 September 2015.
  3. ^ "Forward Birnis Adames wins Sueño MLS 2011 – presented by Allstate". MLSsoccer.com. Archived from the original on 16 September 2014.